Unrest in Magnetawan First Nation

Huntsville Forester

MAGNETAWAN FIRST NATION – A former Magnetawan First Nation chief accuses current leadership of mismanagement.
But according to current Chief Joe Noganosh, with an election three months away, the accusations are baseless – maybe even criminal harassment.
Former chief William Diabo leads a vocal group who accuse the current administration of the small community of creating financial problems for the First Nation.
The group has created a 23-page document that outlines their issues and posted it on www.magnetawanfirstnation.com.
Diabo said his group’s report is part of a concerted effort to put a stop to what he alleges is a process that will lead to a major financial deficit for Magnetawan, accusing current leaders of misspending and poor planning. ?
“How do we stop the bleeding?” said Diabo. “How do we stop these people from doing that? They shouldn’t be in office. I’ve been trying to go through the processes that relate to how we end up with elected people and how the money is being managed and how it’s not being managed up to proper protocol, and our hands are tied.”?
The report names councilor Lana Noganosh and Chief Joe Noganosh, accusing them of having conducted band business in an unethical way that has set the First Nation on the path to a deficit. It alleges that the current administration has mismanaged a local business venture, overdrawn financial accounts without convening a council meeting for approval, and has not properly accounted for thousands of dollars of expenses. ?
For their part, Lana Noganosh and Chief Joe Noganosh insist the complaints are unfounded, and that the criticism is a bid for re-election.
Chief Joe Noganosh released a statement through Magnetawan’s newsletter. The statement is directed to members of Magnetawan First Nation and reads, “Regrettably there has been a recent rash of adverse commentary in regards to the administration offices and services provided by the current Chief and Council. To help with this matter, we are updating the official Magnetawan First Nation website to include current information and the ability to receive any comments on issues and/or services intended for Magnetawan First Nation Members.” ?
It goes on to say the police will be investigating whether the information on www.magnetawanfirstnation.com constitutes “harassment and/or should be considered as hate mail.”
In an email to the North Star, Chief Noganosh refutes Diabo’s claims of overspending, but won’t divulge financial information, other than to say a First Nation gas bar made $98,000 in profit.
“I fear to tell you that you have been grossly misinformed with the information that you recently received from your contacts,” said Chief Noganosh. “As far as actual dollar figures is concerned, that is our financial affair and we will not tolerate any interference in this aspect of the running of our First Nation.”
Councilor Lana Nagonosh also refuted the allegations, adding that because the complainant is currently under police investigation, she didn’t want to comment further.
“Mr. Diabo was a previous chief here and we have elections coming up this year, and there is a lot of mud flinging going on in the community right now, and that’s one of his,” she said.
Jerry Smith, band manager with Magnetawan First Nation, also refuted the claims of mismanagement or poor financial decision-making.
“The people you’re hearing complaints from, there’s an election happening in three months,” Smith said to the North Star. “I would caution you, do not get involved in this. I’m cautioning you strongly and I’m telling you do not get involved in this. This is not your world.”
Diabo insists his allegations are true, and will leave the First Nation facing financial woes, but added that Indian Act regulations allow little recourse, other than to wait for the next election, or for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to step in.
“Do you wait until a car crashes when you see it speeding down the highway?” he said. “What you normally would do is stop them and not let them crash and kill somebody first. Here, it’s the opposite, let them crash and then we’ll step in well. Too late, the damage is done.”